Well I never: Anne Keothavong puts out Francesca Schiavone, the number 25 seed, in 3 thrilling sets.

What is the world coming to, when a British women gets to the 3rd round of a non-satellite tournament?

First British woman to reach the third round at the U.S Open since 1981 apparently.

The British women seem to be edging closer to respectability. Not there yet, but edging closer. Keothavong has been in the top 100 for a few months now*, and is destined to stay there until early next year even if she wins no more matches. There are a few others in whose rankings are 120, 130 (three Brits were seeded in the qualifying, showing their closeness to earning direct acceptances). If one of those could break through as well, then there might actually be some momentum.

* - possibly more important than being in the top 100 is how she managed it. By getting deep into, and sometimes winning, run-of-the-mill events.
The last British woman I can remember with a double-digit ranking was Sam Smith. Her ranking at that level lasted precisely one year, based as it was almost entirely on the points gathered by getting to Rd.4 of Wimbledon, entry into which was via a wild card. As Keothavong has a steady acumulation of points, it's a much more sustainable (and deserved) position.

Jo Durie 1991 (to Tony)

Anne K was just interviewed on Sky: she is absolutely gorgeous. Oriental looks, beautiful skin, a happy countenance. I suspect she could beat the crap out of me.

I know a bloke who's quite well informed about British tennis due to a lifetime's work at county level and a friendship with Alan Mills.

He told me two or three years ago that Keothavong was a spoiled brat with a foul temper who talks to people like crap. I hadn't heard him dish the dirt so vigorously since we talked about Andrew Castle some years before. A complete twat, apparently.

Maybe Anne K has changed.

Nobody else watching this?

Andy Murray through to play against/lose to Nadal in the semis. I thought he was going to lose to Del Potro, even though he was better, and two sets up. It looks like he is not Tim Henman.

In reaching the last four of a Grand Slam and getting to number 4 in the world rankings he's already emulated anything Henman achieved in his career (although Henman repeated that feat over a number of years and Murray's just done it for the first time).

Now he's got to do what Henman never managed - beat the world number one in a Grand Slam semi-final.

Murray takes the first set 6-2 from Nadal, in some style... chickens, I dont care how many there are of you...

Federer v Djokovic 1 set all

Jesus H Christ, Murray could slay the dragon before the dragon's even settled on his nest.

Don't say we're going to have a British World number one at tennis. I think the country would implode.

"Don't say we're going to have a British World number one at tennis. I think the country would implode".

Steady on, Rogin. There's a very long way to go before we start talking in those terms.

Federer wins in four.

5-5 Murray-Nadal. Murray has not taken plenty of break points in this set - I hope he doesn't end up regretting his wastefulness.

I had to go out, so I am glad to see the rain. Murray 2-0 up in sets, a break down in the third.

rain has stopped play until tomorrow morning USA time...


shades of Henman against Goranevic?...although Nadal had broken serve in the third set...

either way Federer can only benefit....

Another medal for Team GB!

Murray had a good go at trying to take the "plucky brit" tag, after choking about 25 break points in a row, but he actually managed a break point winner to take the match.

Go Murray.

For god sake don't choke 30 break points against Federer